Links

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia:

Toronto Dementia Network
The Toronto Dementia Network collects, organizes and disseminates information about dementia related services and events in Toronto, and is funded by the Alzheimer’s Society of Toronto.
www.dementiatoronto.org

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Weekly
This site was created to serve the community of people living with dementias such as Alzheimer’s. This site is updated every week, and is always growing, being enhanced and improved. It offers a unique community of people who all share the experiences of dementias whether as people with this handicap or as caregivers. The site is free and offers one of the most comprehensive collections of helpful, useful and engaging articles available anywhere.
www.AlzheimersWeekly.com

Alzheimer’s Support (US)
A website that provides current news on research and treatment, support groups, chats with experts and other information, guidance and resources on Alzheimer’s disease.
www.alzheimersupport.com

Finding a long term care home:

The Parent Care Solution
The Parent Care Solution™, can help today’s families prepare for tomorrow, preserving family wealth and even more important, preserving family relationships. It is a proactive, caring process involving parents and their adult children, and was specifically created to initiate this vital dialog and facilitate communication. Parent Care Specialists™ work with all family members in unison to develop and implement a total plan to strategically, and lovingly solve the problem of caring for aging parents without financially or emotionally destroying the family.
www.parentcaresolution.com

Financial and legal resources:

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is a monthly benefit for CPP contributors aged 60 years and over.
https://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/pension/cpp/index.page

Old Age Security (OAS)
The Old Age Security (OAS) pension is a monthly benefit available, if applied for, to most Canadians 65 years of age or over. Old Age Security legal status and home requirements must also be met. An applicant’s employment history is not a factor in determining eligibility, nor does the applicant need to be retired. Old Age Security pensioners pay federal and provincial income tax. Higher income pensioners also repay part or all of their benefit through the tax system.
https://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/pension/oas/index.page

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) provides additional money, on top of the Old Age Security pension, to low-income seniors living in Canada. To be eligible for the GIS benefit, you must be receiving the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and meet the income requirements.
https://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/cpp/oas/gis/index.page

Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS)
The Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) ensures a guaranteed minimum income for Ontario seniors. It provides monthly payments to qualifying pensioners in addition to the federal Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payments.
www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/credit/gains/

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) helps people with disabilities who are in financial need pay for living expenses, like food and housing. The program provides eligible people with disabilities with financial assistance (Income Support) and help in finding a job (Employment Support). You may qualify for Income Support if you are 18 years of age or older, live in Ontario, are in financial need, and have a substantial physical or mental disability that is expected to last a year or more, and makes it hard for you to care for yourself, take part in community life or work.
www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/

Power of Attorney Kit
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives someone else the right to act on your behalf. The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) has a Power of Attorney Kit to assist you in appointing the person you want to make decisions for you when you are no longer able to do so for yourself. Click on the following link to obtain a copy of the Power of Attorney Kit.
https://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/family/pgt/poakit.php

Assistive Devices Program (ADP)
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) runs the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) to help people who have long-term physical disabilities get needed equipment and supplies. In some cases the ADP pays 75 per cent of the cost of items like orthopaedic braces, wheelchairs, and breathing aids. In other cases, such as artificial limbs and breast prostheses, the ADP contributes a fixed amount up to a maximum contribution. If you are receiving social assistance benefits under Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Assistance to Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD), you may be eligible to receive more money.
www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/adp/adp_mn.html

Government resources:

Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC)
The Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC) is working to ensure Ontarians receive access to the quality long-term care they deserve, in a safe, home-like environment when and where they need it.
https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/adp/default.aspx

Home and Community Care Support Services (HCCSS)
Home and Community Care Support Services (HCCSS) connects individuals with the care they need, at home and in the community. They can help seniors stay in their own home longer by providing care at home or by coordinating care in the community, including specialized support services. They can also provide information about long-term care options if it becomes too difficult to live independently at home. HCCSS is your single point of access to information about, and to apply for admission to, long-term care.
https://healthcareathome.ca

Health Quality Ontario
Health Quality Ontario (HQO) is a government agency that measures and reports to the public on the quality of long-term care and resident satisfaction. It functions to support continuous quality improvement, as well as monitor and report to the people of Ontario on: (i) Access to publicly funded health services, (ii) Health human resources in publicly funded health services, (iii) Consumer and population health status, and (iv) Health system outcomes.
https://www.hqontario.ca

Seniors Canada Online
Seniors Canada Online is the Government’s response to seniors’ requests for easy electronic access to seniors-related services. The site offers: access to a wide range of information for seniors from one site; various options for finding this information; and offerings and services from multiple government departments. Seniors Canada Online is designed for older adults (age 55 plus), their families, caregivers, and supporting service organizations. It offers key links to seniors-related information.
https://www.seniors.gc.ca/eng/index.shtml

Professional associations and advocacy groups:

Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA)
OLTCA is the largest long term care provider association in Ontario and the only association that represents the full mix of long term care operators – private, not-for-profit, charitable and municipal. The OLTCA’s member homes are regulated by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) and provide care and accommodation services to residents throughout Ontario.
https://www.oltca.com

Ontario Retirement Community Association (ORCA)
Established in 1977, the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA) is a non-profit, voluntary professional association that represents more than 420 retirement homes province-wide. ORCA represents approximately 80% of Ontario’s 43,380 retirement home units. ORCA sets professional operating standards, inspects and accredits Ontario-based retirement homes, and has accredited homes in other provinces that do not yet have their own accrediting bodies.
https://www.orcaretirement.com/

AdvantAge Ontario
AdvantAge Ontario is the trusted voice for not-for-profit senior care. We are community based, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to supporting the best possible aging experience.
https://www.advantageontario.ca/

Concerned Friends
Founded in 1980, Concerned Friends of Ontario Citizens in Care Facilities is a volunteer, registered charity that is dedicated to advocacy at the systemic and individual levels in order to improve the care and quality of life in Ontario’s long-term care homes. The goals of the organization include: addressing the issue of quality physical and emotional care, and the general conditions facing residents of long-term care; bringing concerns to the attention of the general public and the provincial government; working for constructive changes in statutes and regulations, to provide information to relatives of residents in long-term care facilities concerning residents’ rights and responsibilities under government legislation; and helping families advocate on behalf of their relatives in long-term care facilities.
https://www.concernedfriends.ca

Family Councils Ontario
A Family Council is an organized, self-led, self-determining, democratic group composed of family and friends of the residents of long term care homes. The Family Councils Ontario offers free information resources, consultation services, networking support and training opportunities to help you start, strengthen and sustain Family Councils.
https://www.fco.ngo/

Parkinson’s Society of Canada
The Parkinson Society Canada is the national voice of Canadians living with Parkinson’s. Since 1965, Parkinson Society Canada has been dedicated to providing education, support services, advocacy and funding for research on behalf of over 100,000 Canadians coping with this brain disease every day.
www.parkinson.ca

Alzheimer’s Society of Canada
The Alzheimer Society is Canada’s leading health charity for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Behind every person with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, there are hundreds of people dedicated to helping. The Alzheimer Society is the leading not-for-profit health organization working nationwide to improve the quality of life for Canadians affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and advance the search for the cause and cure. Alzheimer’s Society is located in every province across Canada and in over 150 local communities.
Canada: www.alzheimer.ca
Ontario: www.alzheimerontario.org
Hamilton and Halton: www.alzhn.ca

Ontario Renal Network
Long-Term Care Assisted Peritoneal Dialysis
www.renalnetwork.on.ca